Twice in 2009, state lawmakers had to find ways to cut tens of billions from the state budget. They’ll have to do so again in the coming year.

A report released Wednesday by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office shows the state is on track to spend $6.3 billion more than it will take in over the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. The following year, the budget deficit is estimated to be $14.4 billion.

“Addressing this large shortfall will require painful choices – on top of the difficult choices the Legislature made earlier this year,” according to the report.

But as they look ahead to making those choices and closing the nearly $21 billion gap, Democrats say they don’t want to make more cuts, and Republicans say they will refuse to raise taxes.

“It’s certainly going to be a battle of ideas and a battle of priorities,” said Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Claremont.

Adams – who became the target of a recall drive after he voted for tax increases early this year as part of a plan to close another massive budget gap – said the state needs to be more efficient, not bring in more money.

That’s the stance for Republicans across the Inland Empire.

“I don’t think any of our guys are willing to go back to the California citizens and say, `Pay more,”‘ said Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills.

Looking back to his February vote to increase sales, income and vehicle taxes, Adams said he would not be willing to vote for further increases.

His vote earlier this year, he said, was necessary because the state was running out of money and couldn’t borrow because of a nationwide lending freeze.

“That’s not the situation we’re in now,” he said. “Now we’re just having to live within our means.”

But Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, said budget cuts have real impacts on Californians and lawmakers should tread with caution.

“How much more can we cut to education?” she said. “It would be irresponsible to continue to decimate services.”

She also said her Republican colleagues’ stance isn’t productive and that lawmakers need to study every option to make ends meet.

“I don’t think it’s helpful to lay down certain demands,” she said. “We know (Republicans) have been good at laying down demands. They want to cut services in some parts of the state, but not in their districts.”

But Republicans say the state’s budget woes are a call for drastic action.

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, said it might be time to look at eliminating entire departments and agencies within the state government.

State departments, he said, might have to “see if they can justify their existence.”

Adams said the state should start looking to privatize some start services, including nursing home care and other medical services. Hagman said the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation might be able to save money by working with local hospitals – instead of with a centralized state system – to provide health care to prisoners.

Whatever happens, Cook said the Assembly and Senate should start working on closing the budget gap now, rather than wait until the new year.

Too often, he said, major budget deals come together in the wee hours of the morning on the final day.

As the state faces potential budget cuts – on top of existing cuts enacted this year – Cook said he’d like to have time to run budget plans by his constituents.

“I want that feedback,” he said. “I’m willing to start on this right now. I’ll bring a turkey sandwich with me in December. … I’ll even buy the pumpkin pie. Let’s just get it done.”